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Vodka Notes: Imperial Exclusive Vodka



Imperial Exclusive Vodka from Emperor Brands L.L.C., made in France, is 40% abv. / 80 proof. This super premium vodka is made from a secret recipe that has been handed down for generations. This is a very clean and clear vodka made from the finest French grains and ultra pure and smooth Normandy water, then distilled five times. Many vodkas have as much taste as a glass of pure medicinal grade alcohol. In other words, none. They have had every trace of taste filtered out until there is no character left. That is not the case with Imperial Exclusive Vodka.

When I first tried this spirit I immediately noticed the aroma. Faint but very evident hints of butter, sweet caramel or toffee, the slightest trace of vanilla. I was trying to place the exact scent when it struck me. It was like the faintest touch of the best part of the aromas from the gorgeous movie theaters I vaguely remember from my childhood. Not the cookie cutter places that have two dozen tiny theaters crowded under one roof that you find today. Perpetually grimy and lacking soul. No, I mean the grand old places that only played one movie for a week or two before the next came along. The ones that were spotlessly clean, had comfy, red velvet chairs to sink deep into; and ushers to help you to your seats. Walls decorated with hand-painted murals and thick velvet curtains thirty feet high that spread across the walls right before the lights dimmed to soften the acoustics of the room.
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Filed under: Lush Life, Raves & Reviews, Trends, Liquor Cabinet, Drink Recipes, New Products, Drinks

Premium vodkas might not be worth their price tag

premium vodka martini
It is a question I often ask myself when I am sitting in a bar or lounge, about to order a cocktail from the server with a special emphasis on the fact that I'd like [blank] Vodka. Sometimes I choose Ketel One, otherwise it's Absolut (for their Citron). The question is, "Can people really tell the difference in taste between the expensive and cheaper vodkas?"

ABC News wondered the same thing and conducted a taste test to see if people would be able to actually recognize their "favorite" brand of vodka. The testers were all fairly certain that they would. Eben Klemm, the cocktail director for BR Guest (a large restaurant chain) conducted the taste test.

And after all the tests, ranging from tasting premium vodkas straight up, with mixers, etc., the testers could not tell the difference between their beloved Grey Goose and a far more inexpensive brand, In fact, in the test where they drank the vodkas straight, they said Grey Goose was their least favorite!

Does this mean the testers would not order Grey Goose when out? If it's strictly based on taste, it would make sense to save the extra dollars, but there's something about saying "Grey Goose and tonic" rather than "just your plain old generic well vodka, please."

Filed under: Business, Drink Recipes

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Friday Happy Hour - fanciest gifts of booze this holiday

In a feature in the business section of the Oregonian today about the popularity of high-end spirits, the writer of the story suggested that one's Christmas list might include "A bottle of Bushmills 16-year Single Malt for the boss." Other gifts so popular they've been stripped from the shelves in OLCC stores: Kahlua coffee liqueur, McCarthy's Oregon Single Malt whiskey and Hennessey VS cognac. For the lush in cash as well as liquor, Hardy Perfection Cognac Air or Courvoisier L'Esprit sell for around $5 or $6K each (in Oregon, one bottle of the Hardy and 15 of the Courvoisier have been sold in the past year).

While I've never given a gift of spirits, I can see the appeal. It's luxurious, it's thoughtful, and a gift of good liqueur can really show off your expensive tastes. Problematic, though, is the commodity characteristic: there's one price for liquor in most states, so everyone will know exactly what you spent. Local bartenders suggest Shakers Rye vodka, William LaRue Weller uncut, unfiltered bourbon and Hangar One Fraster River Raspberry vodka. My husband's buddy, who's in a pirate band (??), recommends the Sailor Jerry's rum pictured. What do you recommend for spirited gifts this year?

[photo Sarah Gilbert]

Filed under: Lush Life, Raves & Reviews, Trends, Newspapers, Stores & Shopping, Lists, Drink Recipes

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